Family New Zealand

New Zealand is a fantastic place for a family holiday, not least because of the plethora of activities on offer.

'A family holiday in New Zealand? Are you mad? What about the
potential hell of 24 hour flights there and back? Do we look like
masochists?' So spake some parent friends of ours when we suggested
heading to New Zealand with children in tow. Granted, if your
children make Horrible Henry and Pippi Longstocking look like
perfectly mannered little angels then maybe this isn't the family
holiday for you, but if, like the other 99.99% of children, they
adore being outside and exploring new places, there are few better
places to take them.

First, to the flights. With a bit of planning, plenty of things
to keep them busy, and a possible couple of nights stopover en
route in, say, Singapore, the flights to and from the Antipodes are
more than manageable. And on arrival it will soon become clear why
New Zealand is sometimes referred to as 'Scotland on steroids' -
the sheer range of activities on offer for all ages is almost
without parallel, from trekking to skiing, and swimming with
dolphins to bungy-jumping which can be enjoyed by sprogs as young
as ten. Toddlers and primary school children may not be allowed to
partake in some, so please ask us for clarification during the
holiday planning process, but seriously fun pastimes like
jetboating on the River Dart are fine for children from five
upwards. For older children, the fact that this is the location for
the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies might well appeal, from the
moment they arrive into Orkland, sorry Auckland.

Last but not least, there's a brilliant way for families to see
New Zealand - by camper van. This is a great way to keep
accommodation costs down because you can park up and camp overnight
virtually anywhere in New Zealand so you have the freedom of the
entire country to explore. We don't recommend spending every night
on four wheels, but nights spent out in the wilderness interchanged
with stays in comfortable family-friendly lodges makes for an ideal
combination.

Original Travel Expert: Miranda Boord

Miranda is Asia Major, and also heads up the Australasia
department. V.I.P.